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May 19, 2011

I sense a bounty of warm summer days coming our way. And oh, how we love it! The feel of freshly cut grass beneath your bare toes, the sip of ice cold raspberry lemonade, the joy of running through the water sprinkler, the smell of barbeque cooking on the gas grill, and a ready supply of fresh fruit and vegetables available from the backyard garden. What's there not to love? Maybe the pesky flies, but even then, I prefer summer over any other season.

Growing up, however, nothing said summer like the abundance of frozen treats. I can remember summer days playing outside with my sister and brother and hearing the music of the ice cream truck nearing our street. We'd run inside our apartment to beg our grandfather for a couple dollars. He could never say "no" to his grandchildren, so he'd reach deep into his pockets, pull out several quarters, and with lightning speed, my siblings and I would run out to the front of our apartment building waving down the truck. Our absolute favorites were the Rocket and Pac-Man popsicles. Ahh, the memories.

Well, the ice cream truck doesn't seem to make its way around these parts too often. But that's okay because the kids are enjoying homemade frozen treats instead, which I prefer for them. The boys love 'em and maybe one day, these will conjure up the same kind of nostalgia Pac-Man popsicles do for me.

This little contraption here makes it so easy. Can I tell you how much I love this popsicle mold from Ikea for less than $2 (comes with 6 individual molds)? It's one of the best purchases I've ever made. It gets used all summer long.

Making these popsicles is so easy. You take some fruit, yogurt, milk and/or orange juice and blend.

I made the one pictured with strawberries, banana, blueberries, vanilla yogurt, milk, flax seeds, and a squeeze of lemon.

Then you mix the ingredients in a food processor or blender until smooth.

Pour it into the mold and freeze.

And a couple hours later, viola.

You have some very happy kids cooling off in the summer heat with a sweet treat.

mmmm... this looks absolutely delicious! I have a popsicle mold set that I barely use. I really should get around to using them, especially considering our temperature is at 100+ right now! :) Thanks for the inspiration! Love the pictures of your son enjoying the popsicles. He's adorable! Thanks for a great post!

We still get a roving ice cream truck in our neighborhood but nobody is rushing out to the curb anymore from our house. Doesn't mean we wouldn't still enjoy a frozen treat like your popsicles. Thanks for the idea.

Rachel, I was thinking of making some healthy popsicles myself using some POM wonderful, reduced. I LOVE the addition of flax meal! Such clever frozen creations and so pretty! Need to get some popsicle molds, or use dixie cups, I suppose lol